The all-too-often overlooked jazz standard “Emily” (Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer) has been covered by many greats, from Sinatra to Tony Bennett — and here by trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The tune was the title song for the 1964 movie The Americanization of Emily. This arrangement features a lovely intro through 0:19; the form begins in earnest in C major before briefly touching on a key-of-the-moment (A major) for a few bars (0:39 – 0:48), then reverting to C.
Tag: instrumental
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Changing it up with an instrumental selection today — “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Modulation at 1:29.
Glasys | Unwinder
Here’s contemporary composer and keyboardist Glasys (Gil Assayas), who toured with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia Tour 2018. Hailing originally from Israel but now based in Portland, Oregon, he’s somehow brought a slice of Frédéric Chopin‘s sound into the 21st century with this track, 2017’s “Unwinder.” There are several modulations, starting as early as 0:10.
Keith Jarrett | Danny Boy
Today, we feature Keith Jarrett playing “Danny Boy” (2002). There is a brief modulation from F major to A-flat major at 1:37, before returning to F for the remainder of the song at 2:25. An absolutely stunning performance.
Stefon Harris + Blackout | Until
A beautiful jazz waltz featuring the vibraphone of rising star Stefon Harris. This 2007 tune was originally written by Sting for the Kate & Leopold soundtrack. Modulation at 1:29.
Harris has said, according to All About Jazz: “For me, as an African-American, it’s part of the reason I get up. Jazz is not just fun for me. This is my cultural heritage. When I look at the great Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, as we go down the line, I feel a great deal of pressure, and honor, to be striving to be a part of this legacy.”
Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan + Yo-Yo Ma | Attaboy
Classical musicians don’t always experiment with other genres, but famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma makes a regular habit out of it. Ma has collaborated regularly on jazz projects — but here, he and his band of noted Bluegrass/Americana players present a smooth, lyrical sample of a style often called Newgrass from 2011. Mod at 2:43, then back to the original key at 4:14.
Jonny May | Despacito
Guest post from MOTD member Alex Mosher:
A cover of Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” (2017) with a modulation around 2:40. The original might have six billion views, but this cover adds something very new.
From Jonny May’s website: “Teaching piano is one of my greatest joys, and over the past 15 years, I’ve helped over ten thousand students take their piano playing to the next level.” He performed as a Main Street Disneyland pianist for over nine years and has over 30 million hits people with his Youtube videos.
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